A couple of days ago, we ventured out to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, in North San Antonio. I've always loved wildlife safaris and the opportunity to stay in my car and see the animals in their natural habitat, instead of behind a fence.

This African Safari - Texas style was no different. Driving a leisurely six mile drive through scenic ranchland made for some up-close encounters with animals from exotic, native and threatened species. The NBWR provides a sanctuary to animals from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America and North America. Highly successful breeding programs have been established for the majority of the animals. This has helped propagate many threatened and endangered species from around the world.

The NBWR was a little different from most safaris in that we didn't have to keep our windows up and we were able to feed them as well with pellets purchased from the ranch.

We started with Bison and many different types of cattle and deer. The interest in us varied from totally ignoring to standing in the middle of the road, waiting to be fed. Some were so gentle that they ate straight from our hands, until we got to the last section and encountered the ostriches. While there was a warning sign about the Zebras biting, I remember from previous experiences how nasty and mean the ostriches could get.

Sure enough, they came up to Dave's side first with their little beady eyes and Dave rolled his window up, quickly. That damn ostrich started pecking at the window and wouldn't stop until we moved. One started moving over to my side and since I called Dave a chicken shit, of course I had to keep my window rolled down. One nasty glance from the bird had me screaming like a little girl, trying to get my window rolled up faster. I'm serious - those ostriches have evil eyes!

Anyways, we finished off our day with a lunch in the grill and a visit to the petting zoo, which was filled with a couple of dozen little goats and two calves. Dave still had some food left over, so he was very popular with the goats. They tried to eat his shoes, pull down his shorts, and head butt him where it hurts.

I can't remember when I've laughed so hard, both at the ostriches and the goats. I definitely want to go back!